TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn returned to Lee Arena and drained a season-high 13 3-pointers to pull away for a 85-70 win on Thursday evening. The Ichabods finish the homestand on Saturday, Feb. 14 facing Northeastern State at 1 p.m. for a Pink Out contest.  

After Washburn (16-7, 9-5 MIAA) scored the first six points of the game the next 12 came from the Lions (4-19, 3-1 MIAA). Washburn answered right back, scoring 10 in a row after Aniah Wayne knocked down a fast break triple. It was the first of four 3-pointers for Wayne inside the final five minutes of the quarter as she helped build a 25-21 advantage.  

The Ichabods continued to churn offensively, shooting 46.2% in the quarter with three more connections from deep. Arkansas-Fort Smith kept pace, staying within four before going in front 38-36 with 1:45 remaining using a 6-0 run. Washburn scored the final six points on triples from Wayne and Payton Sterk to lead 42-38 going into the break.  

Both teams continued to trade baskets out of the break. Wayne provided some breathing room pushing the lead to four with 4:55 left in the quarter hitting another 3-pointer. The Ichabods got stingy on the defensive end, holding the Lions without a basket for the final 4:44 of the quarter. They finished on a 6-0 run to lead 58-49.  

Gabi Giovannetti scored the first five points of the fourth for Washburn, pushing the lead into double figures. The Ichabod offense kept the lead there, shooting 68.8% for the quarte to score 27 points in the frame. They led by as many as 18 after Kellyn Hunter scored with 2:34 left as they eased into an 85-70 win.  

Both teams shot an even 50.0% from the field in the game, the Ichabods took 18 more shots than Arkansas-Fort Smith while also going 13-25 from three-point range to create the advantage.  

Washburn had a narrow 31-28 lead on the glass but won the turnover battle 22-15, leading to 27 points off turnovers while the Lions had just 11. Paint scoring also went in favor of the Ichabods 34-24.  

Payton Sterk led the way with 23 points on 7-15 shooting while adding a pair of steals. Aniah Wayne tied her career-high with 19 points coming on 6-9 shooting from downtown. Yiibari Nwidadah scored 10 on 5-6 shooting and Madelyn Amekporfor had six steals to go along with five points.  

Haleigh Jackson led Arkansas-Fort Smith with 18 points on 4-6 shooting and 8-9 at the line.